Archery sight



April 3, 1962 H. c. CROOK 3,027,648

ARCHERY SIGHT Filed May 11, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H i I H. C. CROOK ARCHERY SIGHT April 3, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 11, 1959 8 6 E 33x3? v Q ixEib coa States Patent Office 3,027,648 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 3,027,648 ARCHERY SIGHT Howard C. Crook, Seaford, N.Y. Filed May 11, 1959, Ser. No. 812,553 7 Claims. (Cl. 33-46) This invention pertains to archery equipment, and particularly, to an improved bowsight.

In contrast to gunsights, where the gun barrel serves as a rigidly fixed reference relative to the line of fire, a bowsight must at once establish such reference and indicate the correct firing angle relative thereto for any target range. Since individual archers hold the bow at different degrees of tilt or cant" from a vertical plane, the sight must be adjustable to compensate for such variations. It must also be adjustable to compensate for changes in bow performance at different seasons of the' year and for varying wind conditions. Besides these fac-- tors, since the archer may use arrows of different weights for different types of game, and may even wish to change the bowstring in the field, further compensating adjustments must be available if the sight is to be of. universal applicability.

' Various approaches to development of a universally adaptable bowsight have been made, as shown for ex-. ample by Patent 2,742,702 to R. F. Williams, issued April 24, 1956. However, such prior art fails to achieve a bowsight capable of rapid and convenient adjustment for all of the many variables which are involved in different archery situations. The prior art also fails to pro vide the high degree of bowsight rigidity and permanency of calibration required to maintain consistent accuracy in spite of the severe vibration to which the bow is subjected each time it is fired. A very slight slip in the bowsight setting, such as onetenth of an inch, for example, will miss a target at one hundred yards by two and one-half feet.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bowsight capable of being conveniently and rapidly adjusted to take account of all variables which may be involved in different archery situations, including differences between bows, bowstrings, arrows, archers, and climatic conditions.

A further object is to provide a bowsight which, while being readily adjustable in the field without use of tools, will reliably maintain its calibration over long periods ofuse without requiring readjustment.

A further object is to provide a reliable and conveniently adjustable bowsight which is light in weight, economical to construct, and readily mountable on many types of bows.

The invention herein is, in part, a continuation-in-part of applicants copending applicati'on Serial No. 695,709,; filed November 12, 1957, now abandoned. 1

In achievement of the stated objects, a bowsight constructed in accordance with the invention comprises supporting means for attachment to a bow. It further comprises a plurality of adjusting screws extending transversely across said supporting means and supported thereby. The bowsight additionally comprises a mounting plate tensionrnounted relative to said supporting means and threadably supported by said screws so as to be rotationally and translationally adjustable thereby in a plane substantially transverse to the line of fire of the bow. Finally, the bowsight comprises a range-calibrated sighting window fastened to and extending longitudinally along the mounting plate.

A more complete description of the invention, together with further objects and features thereof, is presented in the following specification and accompanying drawings, noting, however, that the actual scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a bowsight constructed in accordance with the invention attached to a bow shown in fragmentary form in phantom;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective rear view of the FIG. 1 bowsight, and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective front view of another embodiment of a bowsight constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the I drawings, there is represented a front view of a bowsight constructed in accordance with the invention mounted on a bow shown in fragmentary view in phantom. It should be understood that, while in use, the bow is canted so that the leading edge 31 of the sighting win dow 10 is vertical and aligned with the target.

The bowsight comprises supporting means 12 (see also FIG. 2) for attachment to the bow. The supporting means may include a mount 13 for fixed attachment to the bow, a plurality of adjusting screws 15, 16, 17 being supported by the mount. Adjusting screws 15 and 17 extend transversely across supporting means 12, while screw 16 extends longitudinally. A mounting plate 14 is tension-mounted relative to supporting means 12 and threadably supported by screws 15, 17, 16 so as to be rotationally and translationally adjustable thereby in a plane substantially transverse to the line of fire of the bow. Mount 13 is a slotted metal member, preferably of spring steel, having a lug 18 (see FIG. 2) which may be screwed to the side of the bow. A soft metal loop 19 is carried at the upper end of mount 13 and is wrapped over the bow so as to maintain the mount under slight tension. Thus, the mount 13 is a universal mount suitable for use on many bows. If desired, suitable mounting brackets especially fitted to a single bow may be employed in lieu of the mount 13.

There are disposed in slots 52, 60 of mount 13 the transversely slotted tabs of a pair of mounting lugs 20, 21, respectively, the tabs slidably engaging slots 59 and 60 so as to permit coarse longitudinal initial positioning of the lugs. The lugs 20, 21 are held in position by suitable bolts 22, 22a which fasten them to mount 13, the upper end of lug 21 projecting forwardly toward mount 13 so as to provide tension when bolt 22a is tightened. A high degree of mounting rigidity is thus achieved.

Adjusting screws 15, 17 are respectively journalled in the ears of a pair of mounting brackets 23, 24, which are respectively attached to lugs 20, 21, one end of each screw being shouldered to captivate it. Mounting bracket 24 is 'rotatably attached to lug 21. Screws 15 and 17 threadably engage a pair of adjusting brackets 25 and 26, respectively, so as to provide lateral or angular adjustment of the mounting plate 14 supported thereby when the screws are turned. Adjusting bracket 25 also supports the longitudinally extending screw 16 journalled and captivated therein, screw 16 threadably engaging another adjusting bracket 27 to which the upper end of mounting plate 14 is rotatably fastened by means of a bolt 28. The other end of mounting plate 14 is slidably disposed within ears 26a of adjusting bracket 26, so that when screw 16 is turned, it translates the plate in the longitudinal direction. Adjusting bracket 26 also carries spring ears 26b tensioned against the plate to provide rigidity.

Tension mounting of mounting plate 14 relative to supporting means 12 may be effected by a spring 29 stretched between the plate and the bow. This, together with the tensioned support of lug 21 and adjusting bracket 26, serves to minimize any inaccuracies in positioning due to tolerances of the threaded members and thus to allow inexpensive construction with highly accurate results.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the bowsight also includes a range-calibrated sighting window 10 supported on mounting plate 14. In particular, the sighting window 10 may comprise a transparent plastic plate 30 removably attached to the mounting plate 14 by means of screw 32. Plate 30 preferably has a beveled edge 31 for alignment with a target. The beveling of edge 31 renders it useful as a vertical sight line for the archer.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bowsight may also include a sighting pointer 34 threadably supported on a range-adjusting screw 33 which extends longitudinally along plate 14, screw 33 being supported by lugs on the plate in which it is journalled and captivated. Turning screw 33 thereby adjusts the position of the pointer 34 with respect to the sighting window 10 for accurately calibrating the sight window for various ranges. The sighting pointer 34 extends approximately to the edge 31 of the sight window to facilitate calibration in a manner presently to be described.

A set of removable tabs 35 (see FIG. 1) are provided for attachment to the sight window in accordance with the calibration to serve as sight markers for various ranges.

Considering now the adjustment and calibration of the sighting window 10 with reference to FIG. 1, the archers hand is placed on the bow below edge 36 and the arrow rests on edge 36. The sight has previously been coarsely adjusted on the bow by means of the positioning of lug 18, loop 19, and lugs 20, 21 (see FIG. 2). The archer then holds the bow in its normal position and with his fingers adjusts screws 15 and 17 to rotate and translate the sighting window 10 with the edge 31 as a vertical sight line. The sighting window 10 is made of transparent material to enable the archer to look through it to the target. The archer then stands at a measured distance from a target, say 40 yards, and adjusts the sighting pointer 34 by means of screw 33 to a proper estimated sighting position. The archer then fires several arrows, readjusting the sighting pointer if necessary, and by trial and error locates the proper sighting position. He then attaches one of the tabs 35 to the window 10 at that point and marks the numeral 40 at approximately the correct point on an adhesive water-proofed strip 50 attached parallel to and displaced away from the leading edge 31 of the window 10. Alternatively, the tabs 35 may be in different colors to identify the distances to which they correspond.

The foregoing procedure is repeated at different distances to calibrate the sighting window for various ranges. During the calibration for the first selected range, Vernier lateral readjustment of the sight may be accomplished by screws 15 and 17 and vernier vertical or longitudinal adjustment of the sight may be accomplished by screw 16. Ordinarily, the lower corner 51 of edge 31 is positioned above the diametral center of the arrow, corner 51 being pointed to facilitate this positioning.

When the sighting window 10 has been calibrated for one group of matched arrows, it may be removed from mounting plate 14 by simply loosening screw 32 and a similar sighting window may be substituted for calibration with a different group of arrows. From time to time, minor Vernier adjustments of the position of the sighting window may be necessary due, for example, to a change in weather conditions, and such adjustments may be readily accomplished by screws 15, 16, and 17. After calibration, the proper sighting window for a given group of arrows may be selected and quickly attached to mounting plate 14. In firing at a target, the archer then simply estimates his range and quickly sights at the proper tab 35.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the bowsight of FIG. 1 has several advantages. The sight provides universal longitudinal and lateral vernier finger adjustments which are readily made without use of tools, and an accurately adjustable sighting pointer facilitates accurate calibration. Moreover, sighting windows may be interchanged for use with different groups of matched arrows without ordinarily requiring appreciable readjustment of the mounting plate supporting the sighting window. Also, the use of removable sight tabs allows a given window to be used again with a different bow or group of matched arrows and recalibrated if desired. The sight has the further advantage of being constructed of inexpensive elements while nevertheless providing highly accurate results.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a bowsight similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but which has still further improved rigidity and reliability and which is provided with calibration guides for each of the adjusting screws 15, 16, and 17. The construction of this preferred form of the invention will, therefore, be described principally with reference to how it differs from the embodiment thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, corresponding parts having the same reference numerals in all figures.

Considering first the mount 13, this is formed of spring metal and has its lower end doubled over at an angle substantially parallel to the mount surface. The upper end is also double over, but at an angle projecting rearward. Thus, when a bow is clamped or screwed to lug 18 and loop 19 is wrapped around the how, the mount will be placed under considerable tension assuring permanency of position. Loop 19 may be affixed to the mount either at an upper or lower set of slots 13a, 131), the lower set providing adequate tension for bows of lesser cast. Mount 13 also has groups ofequally spaced mounting holes 13a, 13a in its surface at the upper and lower portions thereof.

The upper mounting bracket 23 is here supported by means of a projecting pin 23a affixed thereto which extends into any of holes 13d and the bolt 22 extending into an adjacent hole. Bracket 23 carries, in addition to adjusting screw 15, a torsion rod 23!) parallel thereto and on which a longitudinal rear-projecting lug 25a of adjusting bracket 25 is slidably supported. Lug 25a is shaped as a pointer relative to the divisions of a transverse linear scale 23c afiixed to mounting bracket 23, so that when screw 15 is turned the changed position of adusting bracket 25 will be measured by that scale. Bracket 25 carries, in addition to the longitudinal adjusting screw 16, a parallel torsion rod 25b slidably engaging the spring metal lug 27 which threadably engages screw 16. One corner of lug 27 is shaped as a pointer relative to the divisions of a longitudinal linear scale 25c affixed to bracket 25, so that when screw 16 is turned, the changed position of bracket 27 will be measured by scale 25c.

Lug 27 is affixed to the upper end of mounting plate 14 by means of bolt 28. In contrast to the bowsight of FIGS. 1 and 2, however, the mating surface of lug 27 is bent forward relative to the surface of plate 14. When tightened together by bolt 28, therefore, plate 14 is supported under considerable spring tension and so very reliably maintains the position to which it is adusted. The lower end of plate 14 is slidably engaged within the ears of an adjusting bracket 61 which is rotatably fastened by rivet 63 to adjusting bracket 26. A resilient washer 65 is compressed by the rivet between brackets 26 and 61 to provide a tension grip of bracket 61 on plate 14. Adusting bracket 26 is threaded on transverse screw 17 supported by mounting bracket 21, and also slidably en gages torsion rod 21a carried by the latter bracket parallel to screw 17. A parallel linear scale 21b is also atfixed to a downturned lower end of bracket 21, the divisions thereon being framed by a slit 14a in the lower end of mounting plate 14. Consequently, the displacement of plate 14 caused by turning screw 17 is measured by scale 21b. Supporting bracket 21 is fastened to mount 13 by means of a projecting pin 21c afiixed thereto which extends into any of holes 13c and the bolt 22a extending into the adjacent hole.

Sighting window is afiixed to mounting plate 14 by means of arm clips 65a, 65b, and 650, the latter two clips being rotatable so as to permit rapid interchange of differently calibrated windows. Plate 14 may have projecting pins 67, 67, which mate with depressions in the corresponding side of sighting window 10 to prevent relative movement thereof. Sighting window 10 may carry a range calibration strip 50 as in the bowsight of FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, however, strip 50 also carries the proper settings of each of adjusting screws 15, 16, and 17 in terms of the numbered divisions of scales 23c, 25c, and 21b. Thus each strip may not only record the range settings for a particular group of matched arrows, but may also be used for recording the precalibrated scale settings applicable to each of such groups. It may also be desirable, as shown, to provide on each strip range data for two alternate firing techniques. That is, for close range (C.R.) targets, the archer may normally draw the bow so the neck end of the arrow is in line with his mouth, while for long range (L.R.) targets, he may use a lower reference point such as his chin in order to establish a trajectory to the target.

In calibrating the bowsight of FIG. 3, the archer proceds in the same way as described above for the bowsight of FIGS. 1 and 2 except that he notes the settings of scale 230 ('1 or tilt), scale 21!) (W or windage), and scale 25c (E or elevation). These settings are marked on calibration strips for each group of notched arrows used with a particular bow, bowstring, wind velocity, etc. New sets of strips may be calibrated for any possible variations in the archery situation, such as when the archer uses the sight on two diiferent bows, or changes bowstrings, or when the season of the year has changed. etc. Then, when in the field, he need only select the strip that fits the situation which actually exists, and ad just screws 15, 16, and 17 to establish the requisite T, E, and W scale settings. That accomplished, the marked ranges on that strip directly indicate the correct target ranges corresponding to the various tabs 35.

It should be noted that the bowsight of FIG. 3 provides an extremely high degree of stability and reliability of calibration because any tolerances and clearances inevitably present in the adjusting screws and brackets are absorbed by the tensioned and torsioned condition of the entire assembly. Thus, spring lug 27 is compressed by mounting plate 14 and so places adjusting bracket 25 under tension. The latter is, however, resisted by the torsion set up in torsion rods 23b and 25b. Bracket 25 and plate 14 are thus very firmly supported. It should also be noted that this high stability is achieved without adding appreciable weight to the bow. In addition, torsion rod 21a carried by lower mounting bracket 21 prevents adjusting bracket 26 from rotating and causing bracket 61 to bind the lower end of plate 14 when the plate is adjusted.

While there have been described what are, at present, considered to be typical and preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1

1. A bowsight comprising: a longitudinally extending mount for tension-mounting on a bow; a pair of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced mounting brackets afiixed to said mount; a pair of transversely extending adjusting screws respectively journalled and cap tivated in said mounting brackets; a transversely extending adjusting bracket threadably supported by the lower one of said transversely extending screws; a longitudinally extending adjusting bracket threadably supported by the upper one of said transversely extending screws; a longitudinally extending adjusting screw journalled and captivated in said longitudinal adjusting bracket; an intermediate adjusting bracket threadably supported by said longitudinal screw; a longitudinally extending mounting plate rotatably affixed to said intermediate bracket and slidably supported in said transverse adjusting bracket so as to be rotationally, transversely and longitudinally adjustable by said screws in a plane substantially transverse to the line of fire of the bow; and a range-calibrated sighting window fastened to and extending longitudinally along said mounting plate.

2. The invention defined by claim 1, wherein said mounting plate also supports a longitudinally adjustable transversely extending pointer adapted. to indicate the proper range calibrations for said sighting Window.

3. A bowsight comprising: a longitudinally extending mount for tension-mounting on a bow; a pair of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced mounting brackets afiixed to said mount; a pair of transversely extending adjusting screws respectively journalled and captivated in said mounting brackets; a transversely extending adjusting bracket threadably supported by the lower one of said transversely extending screws; a longitudinally extending adjusting bracket threadably supported by the upper one of said transversely extending screws; a longitudinally extending adjusting screw journalled and captivated in said longitudinal adjusting bracket; an intermediate adjusting bracket threadably supported by said longitudinal screw; a longitudinally extending mounting plate rotatably afiixed to said intermediate bracket and slidably supported in said transverse adjusting bracket so as to be rotationally, transversely and longitudinally adjustable by said screws in a plane substantially transverse to the line of fire of the bow; a range-calibrated sighting window fastened to and extending longitudinally along said mounting plate; and respective linear scales affixed to the upper one of said transverse adjusting brackets, said longitudinal adjusting bracket, and said further adjusting bracket for indicating the adjustments of each of said screws applicable to any given archery situation.

4. The invention defined by claim 3, wherein the rangecalibration of said sighting window is carried by each of a plurality of strips selectably attached thereto, each strip being marked with said scale indications for ditferent archery situations.

5. A bowsight comprising: a longitudinally extending mount for tension-mounting on a bow; a pair of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced mounting brackets afiixed to said mount, each of said brackets supporting a transverse torsion rod therein; a pair of transversely extending adjusting screws respectively journalled and captivated in said mounting brackets; a longitudinal adjusting bracket threadably supported by the upper one of said transverse screws and slidably supported by the torsion rod in the upper mounting bracket, said longitu dinal bracket itself supporting a longitudinal torsion rod and a longitudinal adjusting screw therein; a spring lug threadably supported on said longitudinal screw and slidably supported by said longitudinal torsion rod; a transverse adjusting bracket threadably supported by the lower one of said transverse screws and slidably supported by the torsion rod in the lower mounting bracket; an auxiliary bracket rotatably afiixed to said transverse adjusting bracket; a longitudinally extending mounting plate afiixed adjusting bracket for indicating the proper adjustments of said screws for any archery situation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Silver et al. Apr. 16, 1903 Williams Apr. 24, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES Archery Sight Permits Snap Shooting at Different Ranges, Popular Science, March 1945.

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